ARCTIC CHILL: Blizzards and icy gales are set to sweep across the UK in coming weeks [EAST NEWS]

Despite the warm autumn, experts say we should prepare for Arctic blizzards and icy gales to sweep across the UK in the coming weeks.

Snow could even strike next week - after a final few days of warmth over the Halloween weekend.

The worst weather is expected to hit in the middle of November and could spell travel chaos on the roads and at airports, according to reports in the Daily Express.

Boffins claiming to have studied air flows say a jet stream that usually holds extreme weather over the North Pole is weak this year.

It means the gates are open to a baltic influx of air that could crash into the UK.

The blast would be similar to the famous 1947 snap, which saw average temperatures plummet to a shivering -2.7C.

Readings so far this year point to similar conditions to the winter of 2009/10 - the coldest for 31 years - it is claimed.

James Madden, a forecaster for Exacta Weather, said: "The worst case and more plausible scenario could bring something on a similar par to the winter of 2009/10, or an event close to 2010/11 which experienced the coldest December in 100 years.

"In addition to this the Siberian snow cover is also well ahead of schedule and is another strong signal for a harsh winter based on previous studies."

The last official white Christmas was in 2010, when snow was widespread across Northern Ireland, Scotland, parts of Wales, the Midlands, north-east and far south-west England.